Camden Games Pear Shaped Game Review

Reviewed by Linda Curtain

How often in life have you said that things have gone ‘pear shaped’? A well used English phrase which is used when things go wrong. The phrase is thought to have originated in the RAF and was used when a loop in the air went wrong and ended up ‘pear-shaped’.

I was therefore intrigued to receive the game ‘Pear Shaped’ to review. This is the first game to be released from a company named Camden Games – a newly formed enterprise based in Camden Town. In a time when many lives and businesses have gone pear-shaped, it is great to see a new company setting out on a new, exciting venture.
Pear Shaped is basically a card game – the playing of which has a central character in the form of a very appealing rocking pear! The object of the game is to match the pear shaped cards, either by object, colour or number and get rid of all the cards in your hand before the pear stops rocking.

My initial thought when seeing the game was how well presented and sturdy the packaging was. The pear cheekily peeps out from a green and pink box and my grandchildren were eager to remove it and inspect it further.

Once out of the box, the pear was surprisingly heavy, very tactile and extremely well constructed – it would certainly withstand much handling. When the base of the pear was removed, inside were the playing cards. The game was very compact and easily transportable so could be taken on holiday or days out for games evenings.

My grandchildren love card-type games and this one was a sure hit with them all. With ages ranging from five to twelve they were all able to participate. With five of us playing, I dealt twelve cards each – the amount of cards you have varies according to the number of players. The top four cards in each players pile are used as ‘in play’ and can be looked at. The pear is then rocked, the top stock pile card turned over and the race is on to discard all their cards onto the pile by matching colour, items or numbers. If a card matches all three elements the winning player shouts ‘Pear Shaped’, the pear is grabbed and the cards in play are divided between the other players.

With clear instructions and a few twists on the way – like ‘doing the Shakes Pear’ at certain times, this was a very fast and entertaining game. As well as being great fun, this game encourages social play and enhances focus and attention from all the players.

With thoughts already turning to Christmas, I feel this would be a great game to receive and play over the festive period. Simple to follow with no complicated rules and suitable for all ages – I’m sure ‘doing the Shakes Pear’ would be even more fun after Christmas lunch!!!!

It’s great to see a new, fun game from a British company. I’m sure the saying ‘pear – shaped’will be on everyone’s lips after playing this game.

Well done Camden Games and looking forward to seeing what other ideas you have in the future.

Star rating: 5/5

RRP: £14.99

This product can be purchased from Camden Games here.